Amidst the downward tendency and proneness of things, when every voice is raised for a new road or another statue, or a subscription of stock, for an improvement in dress, or in dentistry, for a new house or a larger business, for a political party, or the division of an estate - will you not tolerate one or two solitary voices in the land, speaking for thoughts and principles not marketable and perishable?
Ralph Waldo Emerson, "The Transcendentalist" (1841)
One is reminded of Nietzsche's moving comment that he could scarcely begin to speak of Emerson because his words are "too close to me."
Breakfast is being served
3 years ago
No comments:
Post a Comment